One of my church friends once asked me this, "What happens when we take the wrong path, or disobey God? Will He be angry and punish us, and deny us His blessings?" Indeed when we face decisions it can be scary to think that we can choose the wrong path and disobey Him. Two years later, thank God, I am beginning to see the answers a bit more clearly.
When God says that He has plans and purposes for our lives, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, He meant it for real- He really does have purposes to bless us. And I want to share that I am beginning to see that more and more in my life- that He works, slowly and steadily, to accomplish His purposes. If our hearts are set on Him, then He will accomplish those purposes in our lives, whether we like it or not. Often we doubt whether God can work or is working in our lives, but I believe we can have the faith that He will accomplish these things; He is God, after all. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." God doesn't lie.
What about the choices that we make, and where do they fit in? Looking back on my own life, I realise that sure, there were some times that, with the guidance of God, I made the right decisions that brought me closer to Him. But I also realise that most, and I really mean most, if not all, of the time, I have actually gone my own way, the way that God did not want me to. One of my university cell mates once said that her desires did not match God's most of the the time. I could only bow my head and continue, "How about all of the time?" But I realise that in allowing me to go my own way and make mistakes, and then eventually fulfilling His purposes in spite of that, God has taught me many many invaluable lessons, lessons that have been made even clearer in contrast to the errors and mistakes I have made and experienced first-hand. You can tell a child not to touch a burning hot object, but when he touches it against your will, he learns the lesson a lot clearer. These lessons are the ones that have played a major role in shaping my own spiritual walk, and help me to guide me into each new day, each new step as well. In fact it has been many of these lessons that have helped me make the right decisions that I mentioned earlier.
When we make decisions and face choices in life, there is so little we know, and are often so uncertain about what to do. The future is totally unknown. That is why the only thing that we must do is to ensure that our hearts are right with Him as much as possible, to listen for His voice as carefully as we can, and prayerfully make the decision. I am not advocating wild, flippant choices. We have a responsibility to seek God and His ways in everything, wholeheartedly. But the thing is, we can make these decisions eventually with peace in our hearts because we know that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes in us in His time- good purposes, remember that. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13. Even if we go the "wrong" way, He will bring us back, and we will learn from it. It may be a long and painful process, but that helps us learn better and develop perseverance and patience.
And even when we have gone so far astray because of our own mistakes, and we feel like we have lost all sense of connection with Him and are totally stranded, like on an island with no communication, know this- that God is still in control. Did He not promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5)? God doesn't lie. Hang on to your faith, and the promise that He will deliver You, and in His time He will. And when He does you can look back, see how you have erred, see how God brings you back to the right path, and you can learn some wonderful lessons in life.
Isn't it just wonderful? That no matter how weak and helpless we are, God is still merciful and graceful to bless us and guide us in the right paths. What an awesome and loving God.
When God says that He has plans and purposes for our lives, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, He meant it for real- He really does have purposes to bless us. And I want to share that I am beginning to see that more and more in my life- that He works, slowly and steadily, to accomplish His purposes. If our hearts are set on Him, then He will accomplish those purposes in our lives, whether we like it or not. Often we doubt whether God can work or is working in our lives, but I believe we can have the faith that He will accomplish these things; He is God, after all. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." God doesn't lie.
What about the choices that we make, and where do they fit in? Looking back on my own life, I realise that sure, there were some times that, with the guidance of God, I made the right decisions that brought me closer to Him. But I also realise that most, and I really mean most, if not all, of the time, I have actually gone my own way, the way that God did not want me to. One of my university cell mates once said that her desires did not match God's most of the the time. I could only bow my head and continue, "How about all of the time?" But I realise that in allowing me to go my own way and make mistakes, and then eventually fulfilling His purposes in spite of that, God has taught me many many invaluable lessons, lessons that have been made even clearer in contrast to the errors and mistakes I have made and experienced first-hand. You can tell a child not to touch a burning hot object, but when he touches it against your will, he learns the lesson a lot clearer. These lessons are the ones that have played a major role in shaping my own spiritual walk, and help me to guide me into each new day, each new step as well. In fact it has been many of these lessons that have helped me make the right decisions that I mentioned earlier.
When we make decisions and face choices in life, there is so little we know, and are often so uncertain about what to do. The future is totally unknown. That is why the only thing that we must do is to ensure that our hearts are right with Him as much as possible, to listen for His voice as carefully as we can, and prayerfully make the decision. I am not advocating wild, flippant choices. We have a responsibility to seek God and His ways in everything, wholeheartedly. But the thing is, we can make these decisions eventually with peace in our hearts because we know that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes in us in His time- good purposes, remember that. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13. Even if we go the "wrong" way, He will bring us back, and we will learn from it. It may be a long and painful process, but that helps us learn better and develop perseverance and patience.
And even when we have gone so far astray because of our own mistakes, and we feel like we have lost all sense of connection with Him and are totally stranded, like on an island with no communication, know this- that God is still in control. Did He not promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5)? God doesn't lie. Hang on to your faith, and the promise that He will deliver You, and in His time He will. And when He does you can look back, see how you have erred, see how God brings you back to the right path, and you can learn some wonderful lessons in life.
Isn't it just wonderful? That no matter how weak and helpless we are, God is still merciful and graceful to bless us and guide us in the right paths. What an awesome and loving God.
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